Pulborough Brooks Stroll

I was looking for a shorter walk that Sue could do to see how her knee was getting on, and pulled an old favourite out of the archives. The idea is park in the library car park just off the A283 in the main street of the village, then follow the trail across to the Brooks visitor centre, wander around to the high point then come back along the opposite side.

We parked in the car park (luckily the annual pass at this one allows for up to 4 hours), and is also next to the Wildart trail to the RSPB Brooks visitors centre.
Out of the car and boots on - I was not sure if it was boots or wellies weather, but stuck with the boots, as the rain had stopped and there were glimpses of sun.

Down the steps to the flood plain, crossing over to the junction of paths. Over the footbridge and following the river Arun on the raised berm.

The path cuts over to the woods at the edge of the RSPB reserve, before climbing up. This was the boggiest part of the walk so far.
The view back to the village as we climbed up the away from the flood plain.

A little bit cheeky - we followed the RSPB trail along to Hanger view, so we could get the better view back to the village.

Back on the footpath up the side of a grass field to the church.

The Wildart trail continued across to the edge of a large pond, before a final small climb to the visitors centre and car park.

Across from the car park were a couple of paths that crossed Wiggonholt common, and we followed one to the view point, before continuing 

At this point we started to follow some toadstool signs, which led to signs on the ground indicating fungi and their properties. This caused us to divert onto the Heathland trail and continue to chase the signs.

There were lots of these signs along the trail as we followed it around the common.

Not sure this was really public access, but we would help out later.

The trail dropped down into Black Wood, before we picked up the public bridleway and followed it back up the hill to the visitors centre.

More of the fungi trail on the way back, and as a treat we popped into the visitors centre and bought a cake and hot chocolate - one way to help their funds rather than paying for a day pass we would not use.

Then to head back - along to the church, then taking the path through the upper fields behind Lickfold.

Down to the flood plain at Banks cottages - really naughty here - someone had knocked the gate latch so it would not open and we had to climb the gate.

The trail here was more overgrown than the other side, but we continued on the edge of the flood plain until we passed the sewage works.
Here I had seen people walking along the berm back to the original path, so we set off.

A couple of points where the fence crossed the berm and we had to drop down to a gate - both of these were flooded and we had to gingerly work through them.
Finally back on our outward track we followed it back up to the car park.

A slightly elongated route - which could be further enhanced if you bought a day ticket into the reserve, and made use of the red route.